The purpose of the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary (MBHS) is to create a daytime sanctuary and multi-resource center for homeless and at-risk homeless adults.
The goal is not to fix but to encourage marginalized people to awaken to their own dignity, self-direction and motivation. We are present in solidarity to take part in calling forth their potential and to support their ability to advance in their life situations.
Our Mission: Our focus is to offer a daytime sanctuary and multi-resource center for homeless and at risk homeless individuals with core values of community, healing, spirituality, recovery, peer empowerment, dignity, advocacy, voice, solidarity and mutual transformation. Our Vision: The opportunity to advance in one's economic and social status being equal for everyone. Human rights, civil rights and voting rights are equal for all. MBHS builds on Sister MacCanon Brown's 25-year track record of successfully leading homeless outreach efforts in Milwaukee.
WHO WE SERVE: We serve adults in the Greater Milwaukee area who are homeless or at- risk-of-homelessness. Our temporary outreach site and our permanent site are both in the epicenter of the 53206 zip code, Wisconsin’s most impoverished neighborhood, but our outreach is citywide. We have developed a constituent base by doing weekly neighborhood canvassing since February, 2015. Police send people to MBHS during our Sanctuary hours from other parts of Milwaukee, and MBHS also receives referrals from the Crisis Line.
Facts about the Amani Neighborhood 53206 zip code • 48% Poverty Rate • Food Dessert • Highest incarceration rate in America
The new organization was publicly announced at a "Celebration of Hope" buffet, March 29, 2014 at the Italian Community Center. The event was organized to honor MacCanon Brown, the co-founder and former executive director of Repairers of the Breach Center, 1335 W. Vliet St. Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Mayor Tom Barrett and civil rights pioneer Vel Phillips praised Brown for her service to the poor and the homeless. Mayor Barrett said “Milwaukee's safety net needs Brown's work to continue.”
We appreciate Pastor Mary Martha Kannass and the Parish Council for allowing us the use of their facility. We have been doing outreach since February of 2015 in the Fellowship Hall of Hephatha Lutheran Church. Since our outreach started, we have had approximately 4000 “touches” or opportunities to serve homeless and low income residents of the city at large. This includes serving some of the same people who visit Hephatha weekly and people from all over the city who attend our annual 4 th of July picnic.
• Our grassroots transformational model succeeds. • We give people-in-crisis something to believe in, and the true knowing someone believes in them. • We address basic human needs while giving participants a “toolbox” to help them advance their life situations--along with the emotional and spiritual support of a caring community. • Our life-saving work fortifies Milwaukee’s overwhelmed safety net.
OUR CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES • 12-Step AA Recovery Group • Sanctuary Safe Space (Crafts, table games) • Free Friday Meal Program • Major Sunday Clothing Distribution • Fresh produce Distribution
Fantastic Friday Agency Resource Fair including; COA / Community Advocates / Hope Street Ministries Project Return Rescare / SDC Senior Companion Program /Smoking Cessation State Office of the Public Defender / Sojourner Family Peace Center Health and Medical Outreach by community volunteers MSOE School of Nursing Students
On December 30, 2016 the purchase of the new home of MBHS was completed. The 5 story 35,000 square foot building was purchased for $175,000.00 and there is no outstanding debt. As of June 10, we have raised approximately $80,000 toward construction. We intend to begin construction processes as soon as we reach the $100,000 level. Future permanent site of MBHS On Tuesdays at our permanent site: 2461 W. Center Street Doorway Ministry--bag lunches & clothing Milwaukee, WI
Proposed Building Plans for the new site: First Floor - Daytime Sanctuary Nutritional Meal Program / Showers-Hygiene Facilities / Recovery Support / AA Meetings 24 Hour Emergency Warming Shelter / Agency Resource Fair / Clothing Distribution Second Floor – Medical Clinics Vision / Foot-Care / STD Testing / Vaccines And other medical support services Third Floor - Interior Urban Agriculture Table-top Gardens / Aquaponics / Roof-top Gardens Food produced will be used in 1 st Floor Meal Program Fourth Floor - Employment Services In-house industry / Makers Space / Resume and job search assistance / Veterans Support Financial Literacy Services Fifth Floor - Community Forum Auditorium / Meeting Rooms / Community Solidarity
MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary Digital Story By Lalita Sallis, Alverno College https://youtu.be/0j4CgwLb3n8
We hope you have the reward of discovering the heroic, the saintly, the vivid, the wise, the delightful, etcetera, among the people we serve. Thank you for being part of how miracles happen. Sister MacCanon Brown June 8, 2017
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